The Bosch "Ultimate Ride" Contest was not your run-of-the-mill photo contest. It was an unique opportunity for automotive enthusiasts to pit their car against others in an online voting showdown and then judged by Primedia staff from Hot Rod, Car Craft, Circle Track, Four Wheeler, and Sport Compact Car. Entrants submitted photos of their ride in one of four automotive categories: Tuners/Sport Compacts, Trucks, Street Rods/Hot Rods, and Domestic/Muscle Cars. Public online voting and judging determined the winners by category per month. These "finalists" were then reviewed by a panel of Primedia staff and the "Ultimate Ride" was chosen based on set judging criteria (online voting scores, creativity, and originality).

The top honor goes to a 1969 Chevy Nova SS 396 Pro Street owned by Brian Lutz. of Hatfield, PA. Brian bought the car in 1999 and immediately began working on it himself while enlisting the help of his family and friends. He was originally working on a 1981 Monte Carlo project, but when a friend told him the Nova was available, he ditched the Monte and snatched up the SS. The Nova was an original SS 396 that was converted into race trim some time before Brian got his hands on it.

First, the Nova went to a friend's garage where the rebuilding of the rear chassis and rollcage began. From there it went to his brother-in-law's where they did the tin work. In the midst of all of this, the big block was being built.

The Nova spent two years in black primer before heading in for a paint job in the winter of 2003. Disaster struck in the spring of 2004 when Brian learned the motor was shot, so a major overhaul was necessary. What he got was a Merlin 540ci machined by Ray Barton Racing Engines with Pro Topline cylinder heads, JE pistons, Bullet camshafts, Comp Cams rollers, Holley/ProForm carbs, an Aeromotive fuel pump, Hooker headers, MSD ignition, a BDS supercharger and a bunch more speed parts. The combination is good for 930 hp at 7,500 and 753 lb-ft at 5300.

Over the next twelve months the Nova got a new drivetrain, a new interior and a ton of other "miscellaneous stuff" done. In early 2005 the car was finally completed and Brian immediately began driving his Nova on the street and taking it to shows.

In January of this year the car went through another transformation in the form of the engine compartment, front suspension, fuel system and other small changes. Brian is not done working on the Nova yet and has plans for a complete custom interior later the in the year.

Brian is no rookie when it comes to winning car competitions. His Nova competes in the Pro Street show class and has won numerous awards including the 2006 Class Winner for the Maple Grove Super Chevy Show and the 2006 Best Nova at the NMCA also at the Maple Grove Raceway.

As if this win could get any better, Brian and a guest also won tickets to the 2007 Daytona 500 (airfare and hotel included) as well as a professional photo shoot of his 1969 Nova! Check out the photos from the shoot! And visit www.BoschUltimateRide.com to see other contest finalists before the site goes down for good.